Natural resources and energy
What to expect in the Gulf Cooperation Countries in 2021: Key trends to watch
The history of the Gulf Cooperation Council is a story of the equally blessing and cursing natural resources, monarchies and Muslim Brotherhood. Since its establishment in 1981, this political and economic union has been subject to heightened economic pressures and long-standing geopolitical dynamics. This article explores the key trends to expect from the partnership of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates throughout 2021.
The Energy Charter Treaty: a Threat to the European Union’s Climate Ambition
The 1994 International Treaty protects investors in the energy sector from States’ policy changes. This firmly blocks the EU’s available spending towards its long term goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
COVID-19 and the green revolution: A new energy order in the making?
The pandemic has accelerated an ongoing switch towards greener energy, to the point that some foresee a “new energy order” in the making. But these calls are likely exaggerated, with traditional energy sources predicted to stay dominant.
Risk to Arctic Energy Exploration
Arctic Exploration remains an exciting prospect for many in the energy sector. According to estimates, the Arctic could be one of the greatest untapped reserves of energy resources in the world. However exciting the proposition of tapping these resources may seem, it is an extremely expensive proposition.
Eastern Mediterranean: too small of a bathtub for two swimmers
While the two protagonists Greece and Turkey are currently in dispute over economic rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, other stakeholders within the region continue to complicate their strained relationship. As this issue develops, wider implications emerge well beyond the region, creating both opportunities and hazards
Greece and Turkey: Energy Security Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean
Overlapping maritime claims and strategic energy interests have resulted in a clash between Greek and Turkish naval ships in the waters of Cyprus, mutual public hostilities. The high tensions and decades of antagonism between the two, however, are unlikely to result in open warfare. The recently discovered Eastern Mediterranean gas and oil fields, have inspired a powerful energy alliance between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, which challenges Turkey’s energy hub ambitions.
Geopolitics and the Energy Transition: Competition or Cooperation?
Energy transitions have always represented watershed historical moments with profound and far-reaching geopolitical ramifications. Similarly, the climate change propelled shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, is likely to have transformative effects on the geopolitical landscape of the twenty-first century.
Will Further Sanctions Stop the Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline?
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea is intended to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe, mainly to Germany. There are only 150 kilometers (93 miles) before the Baltic Sea pipeline is completed. Despite warnings from German politicians to impose further sanctions following a suspected poison attack on a Russian opposition figure, it is unclear whether construction works will come to a full stop.
Revolution or Regression: The Future US Energy Sector
For the first time in U.S. history, renewable energies briefly generated more electricity than coal in April, 2019. Renewable energy potential merits review of trends and evolving dynamics in a dramatically changing U.S. energy sector.
South Africa’s Energy Conundrum
South Africa is facing an energy crisis. However, it presents a clear opportunity to expand into the alternative energy sector.
